Weight distributing hitch clearance

[Dice Roll]

I see some listed as having less ground clearance, some of the Reese offerings. The ones I’ve been recommended. Going to be towing a travel trailer, about 6000 dry weight on one a family member has. Might get my own if things go well with the kids on this test run or two.

what hitches are you guys using? Would like to get one with sway control that doesn’t require drilling. Some of these look to have sway brackets that would need holes in the trailer. The dual cam ones.

 

[ETC13]

Using the Andersen WDH myself. Sway is non existent and proper distribution achieved. Super easy to connect and disconnect.

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[Dice Roll]

Got a model number by chance? Haven’t seen that one listed places I’ve looked. Thanks.

 

[ETC13]

Got a model number by chance? Haven’t seen that one listed places I’ve looked. Thanks.

The model depends on the drop/rise needed since the shank and ball are included. Also, model depends on the brackets needed based off the trailer frame size.

https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/weight-distribution-kits.aspx

For myself it was the 3560. 4" drop/rise, 2-5/16" ball and the 3"-6" trailer frame brackets.

Easy to measure everything to determine the size needed and easy to install provided you have a torque wrench and sockets.

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[mrmachinist]

+1 on andersen. I’ve used their wdh when I had a bumper pull.

Now I use their 5th wheel adapter on my tundra. Also much better than a standard hitch.


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[duneslider]

I have a Reese and really like it. It requires drilling though so may not be what you want. I think itworks great though.

Equa-l-izer is super popular around here and everyone I know has that one. I don't think it requires drilling and seems to work great. My buddy who isn't mechanically inclined at all even got his all set up without me needing to come down and help.

 

[Wayne Decker]

I've been using Reese dual cam for years (like 13 years). No complaints.

AS far Andersen hitches are concerned, some Airstream folks have had problems with them on certain model Atwood couplers. I don't know if this has been corrected or it those are rare models of couplers. Apparently Andersen noted the compatibility issue on it's web site.

Also I and many others can't support his company because he has defaced sensitive public property. Then he had his kids change the plates on his truck bring not to get caught. He promised to make good, promote proper land use, but I've never found that he did any of that, other than a letter of apology.

 

[ETC13]

I've been using Reese dual cam for years (like 13 years). No complaints.

AS far Andersen hitches are concerned, some Airstream folks have had problems with them on certain model Atwood couplers. I don't know if this has been corrected or it those are rare models of couplers. Apparently Andersen noted the compatibility issue on it's web site.

Also I and many others can't support his company because he has defaced sensitive public property. Then he had his kids change the plates on his truck bring not to get caught. He promised to make good, promote proper land use, but I've never found that he did any of that, other than a letter of apology.

Yeah the guy was stupid, but that had nothing to do with the employees of the company. He pleaded guilty payed the fine and payed for the restoration.

I think there are far worst actions by other company leaders and then they don't take responsibility, where this guy clearly did. No reason to punish the employees and the company if they make a good product.

IMO.

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[duneslider]

I have heard a number of issues with the anderson hitches with heavier trailers. I don't know exactly what "heavier" is but I have seen that the bushing where it rotates falls apart. Those with lighter trailers don't see the problem. Initially when I was looking at them those with good success where in the 6k and less range. Then I saw a fair amount of posts from guys with bigger trailers having issues with them.

 

[Dice Roll]

Hmm. I want to be set up for the full 9k so that is a concern. Thanks.

 

[shane_th_ee]

I use one of the super basic $250 EAZ-lift elite hitches. It came with the trailer. I had to get a shank with more drop (since the receiver on the Expedition is relatively high) and new bars because the old ones were too small for the tongue weight. It works fine.

 

[ETC13]

Hmm. I want to be set up for the full 9k so that is a concern. Thanks.

Exactly how heavy of a travel trailer are you looking to tow with the expedition? Keep in mind you are going to run out of payload capacity on the expedition really fast. The 9000lb capacity isn't going to be a realistic capacity in terms of a travel trailer.

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[shane_th_ee]

Exactly how heavy of a travel trailer are you looking to tow with the expedition? Keep in mind you are going to run out of payload capacity on the expedition really fast. The 9000lb capacity isn't going to be a realistic capacity in terms of a travel trailer.

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For a travel trailer you're actually likely to run out of receiver before you run out of payload. The receiver is rated for 930lbs tongue weight. Most 4th Gen Expeditions have a payload a bit over 1600lbs. So if you max out the tongue weight you'll still have 700+lbs of payload. In practice, you'll have 100-200lbs more than that because your WDH will transfer some of that tongue weight back to the trailer axles.

And travel trailers get unstable and wants to sway with less than 12% tongue weight. And 930 is 12% of 7750lbs...

 

[Dice Roll]

Exactly how heavy of a travel trailer are you looking to tow with the expedition? Keep in mind you are going to run out of payload capacity on the expedition really fast. The 9000lb capacity isn't going to be a realistic capacity in terms of a travel trailer.

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Ford says not to go over 900 tongue weight. Other guy is correct, it’s like 1750 payload on expy.

From opening post of thread-

Going to be towing a travel trailer, about 6000 dry weight on one a family member has. Might get my own if things go well with the kids on this test run or two.

 

[ETC13]

Ford says not to go over 900 tongue weight. Other guy is correct, it’s like 1750 payload on expy.

From opening post of thread-

Going to be towing a travel trailer, about 6000 dry weight on one a family member has. Might get my own if things go well with the kids on this test run or two.

For this weight travel trailer the Andersen would not have an issue.

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[Dice Roll]

Thanks

 

[byathread]

I got a blue ox sway pro "included" when I bought mine. RV show special, etc. Great WD hitch... The TT you're borrowing should probably have a WD set up on it already, no? Might be able to adjust the receiver to fit your rig when you borrow it. I highly recommend renting a couple different TT's to see what you like and then going to a big rv show in the fall for a good deal/look at damn near everything if you and the family are into it after a few trips in a rental.
All of them (RV, TT) are put together like shit best I can tell (Airstream and Prevost included). If I had it to do over again, I'd buy one that has been moderately used for 2-3 years to let the previous owner work out the kinks/******** construction & build quality items. Like a boat, you'll just throw money at it each year. How much seems to be luck of the draw!

Renting one on RVshare.com is a piece of cake/most folks who are renting them take good care of them, there are reviews, etc.

Take it easy towing and have fun in any case!

 

[Dice Roll]

Thanks. We’ve seen some at the local home show and I stopped at dealer on a lark a couple years ago. The one we are borrowing is pulled with a pickup and they don’t care about such things as wdh or sway.

the trailer was new last year and it already spent time in shop as you said. Surprised to hear airstream has same issues as most. Wasn’t in budget for us anyway. I can’t even justify the used ones I’ve seen as they are so close to retail I just can’t see it. Not planning on spending much time inside any trailer any way.

 

[CaptOchs]

When I had my 2003, I used a Reese Dual Cam on it. It's complicated, so I let the RV place installed it. I actually ended up taking it back after a road trip because there wasn't enough tension. I had sway around 60 MPH. No problems after the second adjustment. I didn't have issues with wind or 18-wheelers after that.

My kit came from something leftover my brother had. What I found out from Reese support is there are different ratings for all the components. The shank is rated 15,000/1,500 lbs. The bars were rated 600 lbs, but the head was rated 10,000 / 1,000. My camper is 7,000 empty and 825 lbs hitch weight. So I bought 2x 1,200 bars off ebay for $60 to get the capacity I needed. Now my weakest link is the head bolted to the shank; limit is 10,000 / 1,000 which covers what I need.

Ultimately, the 7,000 lbs plus whatever my wife tossed in there was too much for that Expedition. Would the newer Ecoboost work? It sounds like it. Finding one with a tow package and axle I was looking for proved difficult. Dealers seem to know nothing about towing specs for their vehicles too. I ended up upgrading to a RAM with over 10,000 tow capacity.

 

[duneslider]

When I had my 2003, I used a Reese Dual Cam on it. It's complicated, so I let the RV place installed it. I actually ended up taking it back after a road trip because there wasn't enough tension. I had sway around 60 MPH. No problems after the second adjustment. I didn't have issues with wind or 18-wheelers after that.

My kit came from something leftover my brother had. What I found out from Reese support is there are different ratings for all the components. The shank is rated 15,000/1,500 lbs. The bars were rated 600 lbs, but the head was rated 10,000 / 1,000. My camper is 7,000 empty and 825 lbs hitch weight. So I bought 2x 1,200 bars off ebay for $60 to get the capacity I needed. Now my weakest link is the head bolted to the shank; limit is 10,000 / 1,000 which covers what I need.

Ultimately, the 7,000 lbs plus whatever my wife tossed in there was too much for that Expedition. Would the newer Ecoboost work? It sounds like it. Finding one with a tow package and axle I was looking for proved difficult. Dealers seem to know nothing about towing specs for their vehicles too. I ended up upgrading to a RAM with over 10,000 tow capacity.

Motor will never be what holds the expedition back on towing. It pulls better than the Hemi I had before. The IRS was a little weird the first time I towed but I have not noticed anything since that time when towing. I think a heavier rear sway bar would clear that up. Waiting to hear how some of the others say the new swaybar helps. My max tow is only at 5k but it pulls that effortlessly. I wouldn't be worried about 7k.